Re: Farewell faithful companion......
I still have my original Forester with well over 200k (miles). My daily driver is a 2004 Legacy wagon which is about to be replaced by a handed down 2007 Forester from my parents (we keep cars in the family...). The cars aren't perfect, but I love the consistency. My alternator died on the '99, so just to double check that it was indeed the problem I checked the 2007 and it was the same part. The 4 year old alternator went in the old car and the new one in the 2007. Same with suspension. My 1999 was getting pretty sloppy, so I pulled the suspension (complete take-offs) from the 07 and dropped it into the 99, putting the new parts in the newer car. Their like lego! I really find this to be evidence of them having gotten it right the first time. Most of this compatibility changed with the new 2009 model year however.
Complaints:
-The Forester is based on the Impreza and despite looking similarly sized, the Legacy/Outback platform is a good bit roomier and holds way more stuff.
-Replacing the clutch is a PITA. If you buy something near the 100K mark I'd be tempted to do the waterpump, timing belt and clutch all in one go. It'll cost more, but the belt is due at 100K and at least you won't have to dig in there for a while to get at the clutch which may need doing shortly thereafter depending on how it was treated. (Assuming you buy a manual car, which I understand can be tough in the US).
-Fuel economy is ok, but nothing too special.
I'm sure there are some other things I'm missing, but I can honestly say that I love my Subarus!
P.S....
Funny new Forester commercial: [media=youtube]0nYU5y2_wjI[/media]
Great Forester forum: www.subaruforester.org
Great source for Subaru parts: http://www.subaruparts.com/
